Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and TikTok have helped people feel connected with one another through a screen. Readers everywhere have used TikTok’s popularity as an opportunity to share their love for reading with fellow literary-addicts all over the world, posting videos starring their favorite and least favorite books.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
In 2014, best-selling author E. Lockhart published We Were Liars, a heart-pounding mystery about the haunting pasts of the Sinclair family. Cadence, the leading protagonist, recounts precious summer memories between her, her cousins, and friend at Beechwood, her family’s private island. The book takes place as she reunites with her family after she had a swimming accident. She can’t shake off the feeling that some strange event has occurred on the island ever since her incident, and it has caused a rift between her, her mother, and the rest of their family. The patriarch of the family, Cadence’s grandfather, Harris Sinclair, hides more secrets than anyone knows, and Cadence begins to question the source of the wealth her family has and its effect. Book Reporter describes the book, saying, “it's a doozy --- the kind of thing that will make readers want to flip back to the beginning and read the whole thing over again, as much to absorb the themes Lockhart is incorporating as to trace the narrative's skillful twists and turns.” The BookTok community has shared their love for the book as well, commenting that, “it’s one of my all time faves,” and “… is the first book I’ve ever sobbed to.”
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover has shocked BookTokers again with her 2017 book, Verity. Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh, a young wannabe author who accepts the chance of a lifetime to finish a popular series of books for the original author, Verity Crawford, who suffered a terrible accident that left her paralyzed. Jeremy, Verity’s husband, insists that Lowen occupy the guest room in their mansion so she can have unlimited access to Verity’s office, which contains all of her notes and ideas about the books. As Lowen begins shuffling through Verity’s belongings— all while she tries to ignore the brewing chemistry between her and Jeremey—she finds an autobiography filled with life-changing secrets that Verity never meant for anyone to see. As she tries to decide whether to inform Jeremey of the horror she’s uncovered, she realizes her presence has stirred up old feelings and unspeakable truths. Highly Recommended Books loved the book, saying, “The brooding atmosphere and strange occurrences will keep you hooked and I’m sure you will read this, or want to read this, in one sitting. It is exciting and the ending is fabulous.”
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
An outsider looking in may think that Anne and Marco Conti have the perfect life. They live in a pretty good house in a “safe” neighborhood, have a “picture perfect” marriage, fun friends who live next door, and most importantly, their six-month-old baby, Cora. When invited to a birthday party at their neighbors house, Marco convinces Anne to leave Cora at home, constructing a plan to walk next door and check on her every thirty minutes. Every good parent knows not to leave their young baby alone, but the Conti’s learn by paying the price when they arrive home to find their baby missing. The Couple Next Door highlights the consequences of making a single mistake and the desperation of these new parents to try and find their missing daughter. Crime By The Book describes the novel as “twisty, suspenseful, and brimming with examples of ordinary people making extraordinarily bad choices—in short, the perfect crime book to add to your summer reading list.”